Head to head
Richardson's Ground Squirrel vs Arctic Ground Squirrel
Both are ground squirrels of the genus Urocitellus, but Richardson's ground squirrel lives on the northern prairie while the Arctic ground squirrel lives on tundra, where its winter survival is extreme even among hibernators.
| Richardson's Ground Squirrel | Arctic Ground Squirrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Urocitellus richardsonii | Urocitellus parryii |
| Habitat | Grassland and prairie | Arctic and alpine tundra and subarctic meadows |
| Range | Northern Great Plains of Canada and the United States | Northeastern Siberia, Alaska, and northwestern Canada |
| Nickname | Flickertail | Parka squirrel and siksik |
| Hibernation | Spends much of the year, often most of it, hibernating in a burrow | May spend seven to eight months of the year in hibernation, with its body core falling to about minus 3 degrees Celsius |
| Alarm calls | Sharp whistles and chirps warn others in the colony | Sentinels give chattering and whistling calls that differ for ground predators and birds of prey |
| Diet | Grasses, seeds, and forbs, along with insects | Grasses, sedges, forbs, leaves, flowers, seeds, berries, roots, and mushrooms, plus some insects, eggs, and carrion |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Richardson's Ground Squirrel vs Arctic Ground Squirrel: common questions
Which ground squirrel hibernates longer?
The Arctic ground squirrel, which in the far north may spend seven to eight months of the year in hibernation, while Richardson's ground squirrel spends much of the year hibernating.
How cold does the Arctic ground squirrel's body get?
During its long winter torpor its body core can fall to about minus 3 degrees Celsius, the lowest recorded for any mammal, staying supercooled without freezing.
Where do Richardson's and Arctic ground squirrels live?
Richardson's ground squirrel lives on the prairie of the northern Great Plains, while the Arctic ground squirrel lives on tundra in northeastern Siberia, Alaska, and northwestern Canada.